Chapter 28.—How We are to Decide
Whom to Aid.
29. Further, all men are to be
loved equally. But since you cannot do good to all, you are to
pay special regard to those who, by the accidents of time, or
place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with
you. For, suppose that you had a great deal of some commodity,
and felt bound to give it away to somebody who had none, and that
it could not be given to more than one person; if two persons
presented themselves, neither of whom had either from need or
relationship a greater claim upon you than the other, you could do
nothing fairer than choose by lot to which you would give what
could not be given to both. Just so among men: since you cannot
consult for the good of them all, you must take the matter as
decided for you by a sort of lot, according as each man happens for
the time being to be more closely connected with you.